Table of Contents
What is Ellingham Diagram?
Ellingham Diagram – Salient Features: The Ellingham diagram is a graph that is used to show the equilibrium state of a chemical reaction. The diagram named after the scientist who developed it, Raymond Ellingham. It consists of a horizontal line that represents the temperature of the reaction, and a series of curves that represent the different possible equilibrium points for the reaction. The diagram can used to predict the equilibrium state of a reaction, as well as the direction in which the reaction will proceed.
Applications of Ellingham Diagram
- An Ellingham diagram a graphical tool used to predict the stability of a metal complex. The diagram plots the stability of a metal complex against the metal’s oxidation state and the number of ligands attached to the metal.
- The diagram divided into four quadrants. The upper left quadrant is the most stable region and the lower right quadrant is the least stable region. Therefore the stability of a metal complex is determined by its Lewis base stability. The more stable the Lewis base, the more stable the metal complex.
- The Ellingham diagram can used to predict the stability of a metal complex and to design new metal complexes. The diagram can also used to determine the reactivity of a metal complex. The most stable metal complexes are the least reactive, while the least stable metal complexes are the most reactive.
Limitations of Ellingham Diagram
The Ellingham diagram is a graphical representation of the stability of a compound in a chemical reaction. The diagram used to predict the thermodynamic stability of a compound and the Gibbs free energy of the reaction. It can used to predict the direction of a reaction and the stability of the products. The diagram limited in its ability to predict the stability of a compound because it does not take into account the effects of entropy.
